To put it simply, exterior paint on garage walls is not safe. Don't take shortcuts — take care of your health and your family's health by choosing interior paint for your garage walls.
There are basically two types of paint that you can use on your garage floors -- latex acrylic paint or an epoxy paint. While the latex paint is a bit of a cheaper option in the short term, epoxy paint is more durable and will provide a better bond to the concrete making it more chip resistant.
The reason we recommend exterior paint for garages is because they usually aren't temperature controlled, therefore it's easier for moisture, and then mold & mildew growth, to be present. Using an exterior paint will help with the long term appearance and durability.
A garage can be categorized as either interior or exterior house painting, depending on its location. If the garage is attached to the house and has an interior entrance, it would be considered interior painting. If the garage is a separate structure, it would be considered exterior painting.
In summary, the decision to leave garage walls unfinished and unpainted often boils down to cost considerations for builders and homeowners alike. While concerns about taxes and practicality may influence this choice, DIY enthusiasts may opt to personalize their garage spaces according to their tastes and needs.
The best material for finishing garage walls is usually considered to be drywall. It increases the fire resistance of walls and is easy to install. However, you do have another garage wall-covering option. Oriented strand board (OSB) can be screwed to the wall framing but does not require taping and finishing.
A garage can add between 5% to 20% to a home's value, depending on factors such as location, design and the existing housing market. This increase can be especially significant in suburban areas where parking space is a premium.
Exterior paint on garage walls is actually no more effective than interior paint, even in non-climate-controlled garages. The best choice for painting your garage walls is a durable interior paint such as acrylic latex paint.
Interior Paint
For most attached garages with moderate climates, interior paint is the better choice. Though it is not as flexible as the exterior variant, it will not expose you to harmful VOCs.
Latex Paint
Because flexible latex paints readily expand and contract, they are ideal for uninsulated or unheated garages that experience major temperature fluctuations.
The amount of paint needed can vary based on the size of your garage and the type of paint, but typically, a 2-car garage could require around 5-6 gallons for two coats of paint.
These chemicals dissipate harmlessly into the atmosphere when applied outside, but inside, they degrade air quality and may negatively affect your health. Faster deterioration: Ironically, the additives that make exterior paint so resilient outside cause it to deteriorate more quickly when used indoors.
With a choice between two of the most common finishes — flat and satin paint — which do you choose? Overall, a satin finish is the more practical choice for your garage because it is easier to clean and best for high-traffic areas.
Do not use exterior paint inside because it releases dangerous airborne chemicals.
Of the two, satin is more durable and is slightly less likely to scuff or mark than eggshell and it's easier to clean when it does get marked. This makes it a better choice, especially for woodwork such as painting skirting boards, than eggshell for high traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.
Conclusion. Painting your garage floor can be a great way to enhance the appearance of your garage and make it a more welcoming and organised space. It can also offer some protection against wear and tear, make it easier to clean, and increase the safety of the area.
While a couple of other factors do weigh in, it's the fumes in an enclosed space that rule out exterior paint. Interior latex paint, specifically varieties formulated for high-traffic areas, is what's best for garage walls thanks to its fast-drying speed, minimal odor, and easy clean-up compared to oil-based versions.
Stick with interior latex paint or acrylic paint for your interior garage walls, as they provide the right balance of durability and safety. If you're worried about moisture or mold, there are interior paints specifically formulated for high-humidity areas, offering added protection against mildew growth.
Depending on how dark the garage wall paint is to begin with, it may take multiple coats of white paint without a primer. A excellent paint job only requires one or two coats because of how thick the priming is.
Latex paint is easy to clean up with water, making it beginner-friendly. It dries quickly, allowing for faster project completion. Low odor and emits fewer harmful fumes during application. The paint is flexible and resistant to cracking, making it suitable for temperature fluctuations.
Temperature fluctuations can also lead to paint cracking on interior walls, as extreme temperatures can cause the paint film to expand or contract, resulting in cracks forming in the finish.
Paint doesn't react well to the hot and cold temperature swings that a garage goes through. It doesn't react well to moisture either, which quickly ruins its sensitive formula. Finding a stable, cool, and dry place to store your paint will keep its formula intact and ready for the next paint job.
For example, if you have a detached garage, it may fall under the other structures section of your policy and would therefore require more insurance. The standard homeowners policy commits up to 2 percent of the face value of the policy to cover detached buildings.
If you're looking to maximize your home's value, consider converting your garage into a livable space. Adding a bedroom, home office, or even a rental unit can significantly boost your home's market value. While this is a more substantial investment, the payoff can be substantial.
That being said, not every buyer will consider a home without a garage as a deal-breaker. On the other hand, it's not likely a buyer will object to a house that has a garage and meets their needs. Having a garage will nearly always help you sell more quickly and likely at a higher value than a home without one.